Tuesday 11 November 2014

Column Culling

Dear Readers, I am at a slight impasse and could use your input.

Long story short; Each Calling in Break!! has a list of origins. These are here to help define who your character was before the start of the game. It gives you your Purviews (Abstract skill groupings really, generally there for you to score bonuses when they apply) and some bonus starting gear. It also comes with a (hopefully) cool name to write on your sheet.

There is also a description included. My hope was this would help jog player creativity or at least provide some clarity in case there wasn't some. One of my early proofreaders pointed out that really, that job could be covered by Purviews and that the Description was potentially superfluous.

I think I agree with her.

(Please note we are still in draft, so the text in the below entries will likely change here and there)

Warrior Origins (With Description)
d12
Occupation
Description
Purviews
Starting Gear
1
Ronin
You are a wanderer without home or cause. While freedom has its benefits, it doesn’t pay well - you may be adventuring just to get some food. Being a sellsword has taught as how to maneuver through  tense situations without giving yourself away, as well as managing on your own without much help.
Cheaply maintaining gear, judging another’s motives and hiding your own, intense stare downs
Long Grip Weapon, Traveler's Bag and a suit of Skirmisher Armor
2
Gladiator
Once you were owned and made to fight for sport. You were freed by your deeds in the arena (or by your former master’s lifeblood) and have now turned your back on the past, though not on the skills that make you who you are.
Bloody Spectacle, Intimidation and other loud forms of communication, sizing up other fighters
A Chain weapon, Skirmisher Armor and a Net
3
Barbarian
You are from a harsh land or culture, one where might and ruthlessness are the only things that guarantee survival. You also may just be really, really rowdy.
Surviving in the wilderness, Overt displays of strength, Recalling superstitions and ancient tales
A Heavy Weapon, A savage token and a Waterskin.

Warrior Origins (Without Description)

d12
Occupation
Purviews
Starting Gear
1
Ronin
Cheaply maintaining gear, judging another’s motives and hiding your own, intense stare downs
Long Grip Weapon, Traveler's Bag and a suit of Skirmisher Armor
2
Gladiator
Bloody Spectacle, Intimidation and other loud forms of communication, sizing up other fighters
A Chain weapon, Skirmisher Armor and a Net
3
Barbarian
Surviving in the wilderness, Overt displays of strength, Recalling superstitions and ancient tales
A Heavy Weapon, A savage token and a Waterskin.

The One without takes up less space, and allows for more freedom of interpretation with the result. I may need to spruce up the Purviews a bit, but otherwise I think it's a good change. What do you guys think?

EDIT:
Here is what I'm thinking now. I think this is a big improvement, but I've been wrong before. I will likely re-evaluate Purviews a bit as well.

d12
Occupation
Purview
Starting Gear
1
Ronin
You once belonged, but those days are gone. Now you are wandering sellsword without home or cause.
Cheaply maintaining gear, judging another’s motives and hiding your own, intense staredowns
Long Grip Weapon, Traveller’s Bag and a suit of Skirmisher Armor
2
Gladiator
You were property, forced to fight for the amusement of others. Your freedom was paid for in blood.
Bloody Spectacle, Intimidation and other loud forms of communication, sizing up other fighters
A Chain weapon, Skirmisher Armor and a Net
3
Barbarian
You come from harsh, unforgiving lands without civilization. You might also just be very rowdy.
Surviving in the wilderness, Overt displays of strength, Recalling superstitions and ancient tales
A Heavy Weapon, A savage token and a Waterskin.

4 comments:

  1. I like having fewer columns, but I think the flavor comes out better in the Description (particularly the concise Barbarian one) than it does in the Purview. Lists don't get my imagination going nearly as well as coherent sentences.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a good point. I think I may go with something like Grey's solution below.

      Thanks again for your input Charles! It's always appreciated.

      Delete
  2. This table gave me lots of layout headaches (and still not resolved!) so anything done to simplify would be good. Of course visual design shouldn't dictate the rules :-)

    What about a one sentence description? You could put it in the same column.

    Ronin: A wandering sellsword without home or cause.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That may be the ticket. It is really helpful with the Princesses too, actually.

      Delete